Use: Before purchasing carpet or rugs, you need to answer the following questions: How is the room going to be used? Will it have heavy or light traffic? Will the room be the center of activity for family and entertaining? Is there direct access from outside, or will the carpet be away from entrances?

Quantity: To determine the approximate quantity of carpet you will need, multiply the length (feet) of the room by its width (feet), and divide that figure by 9 to obtain the square yardage. Add 10 percent to account for room irregularities. It is best to have your retailer or installer make final measurements, to ensure that you purchase the correct amount. As professionals, they know how to include hallways and closets, match patterns, plan seam placement, work with room irregularities, and account for rooms with widths greater than 12 feet. (Most carpet is produced in 12 foot widths.)

Cost: Your budget and your needs are two key elements in selecting carpet and rugs. There is a wide range of choices and costs from which to make your selection. Ask yourself how long you expect to keep your carpet before replacing it. A better grade of carpet will give you a greater length of service than one of lesser quality. Buy the best carpet you can afford for the heavy traffic areas of your home - halls, stairs, family rooms. A medium grade will provide good service in rooms with less traffic - bedrooms and guest rooms.

Ask you retailer to give you a complete cost estimate - one that includes cushion, installation, moving of furniture, and any special needs that you may have. Keep in mind that a high-quality, professional installation can extend the life of your purchase.

Color: The selection of carpet color is a very personal choice. You will want to select a color that unites your decorative elements and creates the atmosphere you desire. There are also practical considerations in color selection. New stain and soil resistant technology makes today's lighter color carpet much easier to clean, allowing more decorating options. Medium and darker colors, tweeds, and textures will help disguise common soil in your home's high traffic areas.

Textures & Fibers: Carpet construction - how the yarn is "tufted" or locked into a backing - affects its texture and ultimately, the long-term durability and appearance of the carpet.

Level loop pile: Loops of equal height. Generally offers long-lasting wear for high-traffic areas. Many of today's popular Berbers are level loop.

Multi-level loop pile: Usually has two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects. Provides good durability.

Cut pile: Loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved with factors including the type of fiber, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn.
 

• Velvets - Smooth, level surfaces; formal atmosphere.
   
• Saxonies - Various surface finishes; versatile performance and appearance.
   
• Textures - Informal atmosphere; suitable for whole house application. Minimizes footprints.

Cut and loop pile: Combination of cut and looped yarns. Provides variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects.

Fiber Content: Roughly 97 percent of all carpet is produced using synthetic fibers, which are designed to feature style, easy maintenance, and outstanding value. There are five basic types of carpet pile fibers.

Nylon: Represents two-thirds of the pile fibers used in the United States. Wear-resistant, resilient, withstands the weight and movement of furniture, and provides brilliant color. Ability to conceal and resist soils and stains. Generally good for all traffic areas.

Olefin (polypropylene): Strong, resists wear and permanent stains, and is easily cleaned. Notably colorfast because color is added in the fiber production. Resist static electricity and is often used in both indoor and outdoor installations because of its resistance to moisture and mildew. Used in synthetic turf for sports surfaces, and in the home for patios and game rooms. Many Berbers are made of olefin.

Polyester: Noted for luxurious, soft "hand" when used in thick, cut pile textures. Has excellent color clarity and retention. Easily cleaned, and resistant to water-soluble stains.

Acrylic: Offers the appearance and feel of wool without the cost. Has low static level and is moisture and mildew-resistant. Commonly used in velvet and level-loop constructions, and often in bath and scatter rugs.

Wool: Noted for its luxury and performance, wool is soft, has high bulk, and is available in many colors. Generally, wool is somewhat more expensive than synthetic fibers.

Quality: The type of fiber used and the way the carpet is constructed (loop, cut, etc.) determines the basic performance of the carpet. Quality can be enhanced by the way the fibers, or yarns, are twisted and heat set, and by the density of the tufts.

Performance Glossary:

• Density: Refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the tufts. The denser, the better.
   
• Twist: The winding of the yarn around itself. Should be neat and well-defined. A tighter twist provides enhanced durability.
   
• Heat-setting: The process that sets the twist by heat or steam, enabling yarns to hold their twist over time. Important in cut pile carpet. Most nylon, olefin and polyester cut pile carpets are heat-set.

Area Rugs: Area rugs accent a room's color palette or wall design, or even set the entire mood, character, or period of the room. Area rugs can be made of tufted or woven construction with any of the fibers available. Cut pile carpet can be cut and bound into area rug size and then carved to add dimension and interest.

Carpet Cushion: A firm and resilient carpet cushion is necessary to form a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life, by absorbing the impact of foot traffic. Cushion also adds insulation and reduces noise.

Choosing Reputable Retailer: The better stores will have knowledgeable staff who will answer your questions and address your concerns. Select a carpet dealer who has a wide selection of samples from which to choose, stands behind the installation, and can help you with maintenance questions. Your friends and neighbors can be a good source for finding a reputable store.

Records of Purchase: Just as with any significant household purchase, you should keep complete records of your carpet purchase for questions or assistance in the future. Consult your dealer for the following information: